Namaste and Slay

Namaste and Slay #1

by Jennifer Brody

From the author of The 13th Continuum and A Sacrifice of Destiny and Desire comes a chillingly dark romantic-suspense series that’s perfect for fans of You.

Morgan thought a weekend at the exclusive Namaste Center—a luxury wellness retreat for women, located in the picturesque Berkshires—would be the perfect way to recover from a breakup. Her two best friends insisted she needed the detox, meditation, and most of all, distance from her complicated ex, Noah. No phones, no distractions, just a chance to reset and move on.

But Morgan isn’t sure she wants to move on. All she really wants is for Noah to apologize for the affair that ruined their chance at happiness. From the outside, she appears to have it she’s built a life of success in the big city, far from her rough childhood. But she grew up clinging to the survivalist skills her alcoholic father taught her before he drank himself to death. Self-reinvention was her way out, and she made sure no one would ever figure out where she came from—not even Noah.

Now, as Morgan tries to bury her heartbreak in spiritual escape, she can’t shake the feeling that something’s wrong with the Namaste Center and its oddly serene staff. A mountain lion lies gutted on the road, its blood melting the snow. The guru’s serene chants twist into eerie rituals by firelight. And in the meditation garden, stick figures left by past guests sway in the branches, taunting Morgan with shadows that feel alive.

As cryptic warnings from a hunter echo through the trees and the other women begin to mysteriously disappear, Morgan’s instincts scream “danger” and she realizes she’s not here to heal. Something sinister stalks these woods. Driven by a need to uncover the truth and a desperate desire to survive, she digs in. Noah may have broken her heart, but whatever’s lurking here has the power to break far more—if she doesn’t break it first.

Genres: Thriller, Dark Romance

280 pages, Paperback

Published October 21, 2025

About the author

Jennifer Brody (Vera Strange) is a New York Times Bestselling Author and Stoker Award Finalist. Her books include The Continuum Trilogy, Disney Chills, and Stranger Things: Starcourt Mall Escape. She is the co-author of All Is Found: A Frozen Anthology and Star Wars: Stories of Jedi and Sith. A fan of all things dark, weird, and wonderful, she's always writing something new. www.jenniferbrody.com

You can find her on Twitter and TikTok @JenniferBrody, and Instagram and Facebook @JenniferBrodyWriter.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

HOLY SH—.

THAT DID NOT GO WHERE I THOUGHT IT WOULD GO AND IM NOT MAD.

(Thank you to Podium for the early copy)

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 ⭐️ This book feels like Rina Kent got bitten by Gillian Flynn and decided to write a sequel to Ready or not.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was SO different from anything I’ve ever read before, but in a good way!! It was like comedic horror/thriller? Lol think along the lines of Brynn Weaver’s Butcher & Blackbird, but not as gory and or as much spice. (Although there is still plenty of spice!) In other words, it was a FABULOUSLY suspenseful, dangerous, hilarious time.

There are lots of twists and turns- some I saw coming, some I did not!! AND THE ENDING!!! Did NOT know this was going to be a series, so I was NOT prepared for the cliffhanger!! Now I NEED book 2 PRONTO!!

Overall I’d for SURE recommend it for a good spooky read. The story kept me engaged, not wanting to put the book down, and on the edge of my seat at moments!

Oh and I CANNOT forget the audiobook (that’s how I read it.) You will NEVER guess who the voice of the MMC is…none other than THE ANTHONY PALMINI, that’s who!!! (For those of you who don’t know- he voices Kingfisher in Quicksilver, and Rhysand in ACOTAR. He’s basically top 5 best narrators!!) Lucy rivers, who voices Morgan did an amazing job as well!! (Funny fact- she also voices the FMC of Butcher & Blackbird 😆)

Anyway 10/10 all around!! Read it!

Thank you to Podium and Jennifer Brody for the audio and paperback copies. My review is my honest opinion.

[Charlene (pageandplace) · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a complicated breakup, Morgan and her best friends/ roommates head to heal her heartbreak with a digital detox at the exclusive wellness retreat, Namaste Center.

After arriving, Morgan can’t shake the feeling that something is off with the center and the staff. As women start mysteriously disappearing Morgan becomes driven to uncover the truth.

Will Morgan dig up more than she was prepared for?

I absolutely grabbed this one based on the cover and description- way to hook me! Did I relate to Morgan, yes and no- going through the break ups (yes) but not ALL of what she experienced with Noah (no)! Did I think the friend group was shallow and annoying at times, yes but everyone played their part to get them to where they needed to be. Could I survive a digital detox- hopefully but not one to this extent! I am not happy I have to wait for a book 2 but I can’t wait to find out what happens!!! Grrr cliffhanger!

Thank you to the author, Jennifer Brody, PodiumPublishing and BookSprout for the opportunity to read this book. I received an epub and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Haven · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started out as a 5 star read for me, and then steadily lost me. The emotions and story lacked depth and was a bit redundant. I don't think I'll be reading the sequel.

[Redheaded_reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ugh I need to know what happens in the next book and gotta wait till next year. That ending omg I was puffing that it ended there. But loved the FMC, I actually felt like I could relate to her a lot on how she processed emotions etc.

[Cindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Namaste and Slay by Jennifer Brody is a wild ride full of chaos, culty secrets, and emotional unraveling. Morgan and Noah are both a little unhinged in their own ways, and this story dives deep into the aftermath of their breakup. When Morgan heads to a “healing” retreat with her best friends, things quickly spiral from self-care to sinister.

This book is packed with secret societies, murder, and mind-bending twists that keep you guessing until the very end — and then bam, you’re hit with a cliffhanger that’ll have you begging for the next installment.

Just a heads-up: this one doesn’t end with a HEA (yet!), but if you love dark, twisty stories with psychological depth and suspense, Namaste and Slay delivers. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing how this story wraps up — because it’s got me hooked.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was girlypop horror and so unputdownable, I nearly read the whole thing in a day.

TROPES & VIBES:
- Supporting women’s rights and wrongs
- Eat the rich
- Feminist thriller
- What in the Eyes Wide Shut

Check TWs

Podium paid collab. Honest review.

[Xanny Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

🎧 Audiobook edition
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 stars)

So, here we go—curiosity got me. The cover caught my eye, the title sold me, and somewhere in the back of my mind I already knew I was setting myself up for disappointment.

Morgan is heartbroken, freshly single, and does exactly what every girl in a horror movie does: heads off to a phone-free wellness retreat to “heal.” There’s yoga, juice cleanses, and a meditation guide who feels just a little too serene. The vibes? Creepy from the start.

The audiobook opens with alternating POVs, Morgan in the present and Noah in the past. In his memories, he’s charming and obsessed; in reality, he’s a walking red flag wrapped in male ego. Morgan’s at this retreat because Noah cheated on her, and honestly? Cheating is my personal line in the sand. Murder? Maybe forgivable. Cheating? Absolutely not.

Then comes the masquerade sex-party flashback. Third date. He drugs her with ecstasy without consent and leads her into an orgy. I don’t care how much “redemption arc” a man gets after that, you lost me. He spends the rest of his chapters brooding about past conquests and self-pity. Gross.

To make it worse, Morgan ends up pregnant. She’s planning to keep the baby as a way to hold onto him, which just adds another layer of messy moral gray. Then Noah’s excuse for cheating arrives: his father discovered Morgan’s true identity, she isn’t who she says she is.

She once killed her abusive father, faked an accident, and changed her name. And Noah, in his infinite stupidity, decided that was “worse than cheating”… so he went and slept with Sophia.

Twice.

Men really do find new ways to disappoint.

Meanwhile, the so-called Namaste Center? It’s not a healing retreat, it’s a hunting ground. The juice cleanses, the yoga, the meditation are all prep work to drug and condition women before a yearly ritual where rich men come to the woods to hunt them down. The whole wellness aesthetic is a façade masking a cult built on blood and control. Dark satire at its finest.

Of course Noah’s family is knee-deep in it. Of course he’s connected to the killings. The deeper it goes, the more grotesque it becomes, rituals, twisted morality, and that classic “how far would you go to survive?” question.

Then the ending hits. A cliffhanger. A brutal, taunting, “you thought you could breathe? think again” kind of ending. I actually yelled at my phone.

Brody writes with razor-sharp pacing—short, cinematic scenes that flip between romance, psychological suspense, and full-on horror. It’s You meets The Most Dangerous Game wrapped in a yoga mat.

The gore, the cult imagery, and the cynical take on influencer wellness culture are entertaining, but the romance thread dragged it down for me. I wanted survival and rage; I got a lot of “why is she still thinking about him?”

Still, the concept is brilliant: a wellness retreat turned slaughterhouse for the rich. The symbolism of self-care weaponized into predation is chilling and clever. But the romance element and the cheating subplot made it hard to love.

A solid 3 stars, ambitious, bloody, occasionally thrilling, but emotionally uneven.

Would I read the sequel? …Yeah. But only after I’ve detoxed from Noah.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this atmospheric thriller, heartbroken Morgan begrudgingly seeks solace with her overly supportive best friends at the Namaste Center, an exclusive women’s retreat in the Berkshires, after her boyfriend Noah’s betrayal. But instead of healing, she finds mounting dread. As fellow guests vanish and disturbing omens appear, Morgan must rely on the survival skills from her troubled past that she’s hidden from everyone—even from Noah. What begins as a wellness weekend becomes a fight for survival against a sinister force lurking in the wilderness, one that threatens more than just her broken heart.

Strengths: Gripping from start to finish, this romantic thriller keeps you guessing until the twisted end. The multi-layered storyline/flashback is well executed, effortlessly readable, while the writing style is authentic and mildly humorous. The characters feel humanly flawed and mostly relatable. The setting itself becomes a character—an isolated, cold foe that heightens the tension all the way through.

Weakness: I wanted more of Noah’s POV. ;)

Verdict
It had me at dark romantic thriller. More of that, please! Overall, not what I expected. I have no idea what I was expecting, but not that—I dig it! The last 80 pages are pure madness set at maximum thriller betrayal volume. I can’t wait for the next one with that cliffhanger. If I am still wishing for a happy ending, does that mean there is something wrong with me?

Rating: 8.5 out of 10
Spice Level: 2 out of 5
Cover Grade: A+

Thank you, Jennifer Brody & Podium Publishing. I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Carmen M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to @PodiumPublishing and @JenniferBrodyAuthor for this Arc in exchange for an honest review.

Namaste and Slay by Jennifer Brody is dark, fun and romantic all at the same time.

Morgan’s weekend getaway at a luxury wellness retreat starts out as an attempt to heal from heartbreak… but it quickly turns into something way more sinister. The setting is eerie and atmospheric, the kind of slow burn suspense that keeps you side eyeing every character and questioning every “zen” moment. Brody nails that creeping dread, one minute you’re meditating, the next you’re running for your life.

I really liked how layered Morgan was, tough, vulnerable, and deeply human. The survivalist elements added grit to the glossy retreat vibe, and the emotional undercurrent about identity and self reinvention made it more than just a thriller.

If you’re into dark suspense with a hint of romance, eerie rituals, and FMCs who refuse to be victims, this one’s the book for you. Creepy, clever, and totally bingeable.

4.25 Stars!

#NamasteandSlay, #DarkRomance, #JenniferBrody, #PodiumPublishing

[Grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for the advanced copy.....
I really did not like the beginning of this book, it was way too detailed (in a screenplay kinda way) to the point that it distracted and the FMC was exhausting. As it continued, I don't know that I liked it any better but it did become more engaging as the plot picked up.
It ends on a cliffhanger and the author acknowledgments note that there will be a second book - I don't think that is necessary at all.
Additionally, there is a lengthy trigger warning at the beginning of the galley I read; however, it does not include a warning for the rape that occurs more than once in the story. I have to assume they didn't feel it was necessary, given that it happens to the MMC but that does not discount its violence, and honestly bothers me a lot how quickly it is brushed over in the book.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sooo into this book. It has all the things I like: cult vibes, a mystery that turns into thriller, just a hint of smexy things. It’s labeled as a dark romance but it’s not. Or if it is I just read some heavy stuff - there isn’t that much smex in it anyway. Which I’m ok with. Story follows a woman who has stolen someone’s identity to remake herself after a bad childhood. She meets Mr. Perfect with weird family traditions that she only catches a glimpse of. A lot goes wrong and she ends up at a retreat with her friends. She starts noticing things aren’t what they seem and it just gets worse. I stayed up finishing this book until 1:30 am when I had to be up at 5:30 am for it to end on a cliffhanger. I was so mad. Next book comes out in May but I legit took a star off because I hate how it ended.

[Samantha Fox · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not going to lie, this book really p*ssed me off. The ending to this one irritated me so much that writing about it again has me feeling annoyed. The first part of the book grabbed my attention right away but it was clear that there was to many things going on. The dual time covers the before and after her breakup with her boyfriend, and in my opinion both are perfect for one another, and they are both sociopaths hiding their true nature from each other. Morgan felt insufferable and I had a hard time rooting for her at the end. It felt simultaneously overly detailed and vague, which might work for a movie but not a book. The most irritating thing about the book for me was the ending, I can honestly say that I did not see the ending coming. I know that is left open for a second book (which you would not know that there was going to be a second book unless you read the authors note at the end of the book. I am not even sure what would be in book 2, but I know I will not be reading it to find out.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from Podium Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Podium for a copy of this book.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy Jennifer Brody's writing, it had that suspenseful atmosphere that I was looking for and enjoyed about this type of book. I thought it was a unique concept and how it was used to be suspenseful. The characters were so well written and I felt tension for them. I was glad I was able to read this and enjoyed the overall feel worked in the genre. It left me wanting to read more in this series and from Jennifer Brody.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[61631982 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zen, Sex, and Serial Killers
“Namaste and Slay” is a wild cocktail of dark humor, sensual tension, and edge-of-your-seat suspense. Jennifer Brody delivers a juicy “50 Shades meets Killing Eve” vibe, where yoga retreats turn deadly and passion blurs with paranoia. The twists land with a wink and a shiver, and the luxe-meets-lethal setting is irresistible. Funny, sexy, and chilling in equal measure – this dark romantic thriller kept me hooked to the final page, and I’m already looking forward to the sequel!

[SJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sexy as Zen...

This was not at all what I expected...it was even better!
I was hooked by the premise of the story and then the mystery and suspense had me completely enthralled. I love a good dark psychological twisted plot with the added romance bonus.

This was such a fun read it was so easy to keep turning pages. It gave me chills at times while also having sexy steamy moments.

Well done Jennifer Brody you have an amazing talent and have acquired a new fan.

I'm so eager for the next book after that cliffhanger I'm left gasping and guessing.

[Scott Selby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Namaste & Slay is an irresistibly sharp and stylish read that pulls you in from the first page. The mix of dark romance and thriller elements is executed with precision and confidence. The chemistry between the leads burns hot but never tips into melodrama, and the intimate scenes feel natural to the story’s rhythm. The plot twists are genuinely surprising, building toward an ending that hits with real impact—tight, complete, and satisfying. For readers craving something that blends danger, desire, and suspense, this one delivers on every level.

[minty daydreams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edited to add: I can’t stop thinking about this book.

3.5 ⭐️ I will probably read the second one just to know what happens. I liked the authors writing style and loved flashing back from present to past tense. I really enjoyed this book! Despite not really liking the main characters - I think the characters are perfect for each other and their story kept me totally engaged start to finish. Unfortunately, I just hated the very end/ cliffhanger and it totally threw me off/felt out of character in some ways.

[Samantha Millican · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morgan, seeking what her friends say is a necessary retreat after a broken heart, heads for a weekend at the Namaste Center. But, then things start to get twisted and weird! A dark romantic thriller full of danger, survival from a secret society, twists and turns that surprise you, obsession, enemies to lovers, and some nice spice for the cherry on top!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t expect to love this book as much as I did. Namaste & Slay totally pulled me in from the start. The writing is sharp, the chemistry between the main characters feels real, and the tension never lets up. It’s got that perfect mix of danger, romance, and surprise twists that actually catch you off guard. The ending ties everything together in a really satisfying way. Definitely one of those reads that stays with you after you finish.

[Emily ~ breatheeasybooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I really enjoyed the merged past and present timelines and the twists and turns definitely kept me reading! But wow did it feel slow. I think it’s meant to be like a slow psychological thriller build up and it mostly was but for me it was almost too slow because of the “past” chapters. I think maybe i just wasn’t in the perfect mind set for what this ended up being compared to what i imagined it was going to be like. I’m definitely excited for the second one though!!

[Dan Mckeithan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprising romantic thriller set in a wellness retreat. Jennifer introduces us to Morgan, who believes she needs the retreat to get over a relationship, runs into more than she bargained for. This story keeps you on the edge with the suspense and tension. There is plenty of spice as well. And it has you waiting for the next book.

[misspinkeye · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a quite interesting read. It was intriguing and fairly clever. I liked how the story unraveled and the back and forth of past and present events. The author did a good job keeping the suspense going and made me hooked. I also liked how the main characters were. They were pretty solid and a bit unhinged.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

🪷ARC REVIEW🪷

Zen out on October 21st

“If betrayal, gore, severed hands, or Namaste flipping into Nope-aste makes you clutch your pearls, stick to rom-coms.”

This was fun! Dark, bloody romcom vibes told in dual timelines. Being a yoga girlie the title got me. And of course. Pink. Ends on a major cliffy. Overall would recommend!

Thank you @booksprout

[Nicole Pajer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun ride this was. I stayed up so late several nights in a row and just flew through this. So many twists and turns. It was creepy, sexy, scary, funny...it really checked all the boxes. And that ending? Total cliffhanger. So excited there is a book 2 and can't wait to read it. I have no idea what is going to happen!

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I like the cult vibes and narrators but there was too much political bias.
Also, WTF this dude takes her on the same dates he's taking every girl he's dated before, he slips her a drug that enhances her sex drive which is fucked up to begin with but even worse because she hasn't had sex with him yet and he gave it to her because he wants to have sex with her.

[Genevieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Secret societies, terrible overbearing parents, lies and deceit, and a mystery? Sign me up!!! The foreshadowing was top tier! Did not see that ending coming!!!!! Also didn’t realize this is a series and now I have to wait. Is it weird that I’m rooting for Noah and Morgan!? They deserve each other. 😩

[Dark Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This is the story of Morgan, who goes to the Namaste Center with her friends after a rough breakup. While there, women start disappearing - and Morgan must find out what's going on.

This was a fun dark rom-com, and I am looking forward to book 2!

[Tammy Morton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good dark romantic thriller, found it to be a good fast paced read, also liked the going back and forth through Morgan and Noah's relationship and the aftermath of the breakup and Morgan going through the retreat, her sense that something is off about it. The ending left me feeling a bit unsatisfied as it didn't really wrap it up for me but overall this was a good thriller.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.